Electromagnetic clock winding mechanism



May 29, 1951 w s. w. BRAMLEY ELECTROMAGNETIC CLOCK WINDING MECHANISM Filed April 4, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Zmmus B ram ATTORN M y 29 1951 s. w. BRAM'LEY 2,554,511

ELECTROMAGNETIC CLOCK WINDING MECHANISM Filed April 4, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR f' lvanus Wfiramlegz Patented May 29, 1951 ELECTROMAGNETIC CLOCK WINDING MECHANISM Sylvanus W. Bramley, White Plains, N. Y.

Application April 4, 1945, Serial N 0. 586,558

5 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic clock-winding mechanism and more particularly to the type in which the winding is accomplished electromagnetically.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide automatic clock-winding mechanism which is simple, practical, and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide mechanism of the above character, the manufacture of which will be economical both from the standpoint of labor and materials used. Another object is to provide mechanism of the above character which may be assembled with extreme ease and few tools. Another object is to provide mechanism of the above character which is constructed to attain a high degree of strength without heavy construction. Another object is to provide mechanism of the above character which'will be sturdy and well able to withstand extended usage. A further object is to provide mechanism of the above character in which the circuit to the electro-magnet of the mechanism is made and broken in an economical, efficient, and practical man- A still further object is to provide mechanism of the above character in which inexpensive and novel spring means is utilized for actuating the clock mechanism. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of'construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, all as will be'illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the clock taken on the line I -I of Figure 2, certain portions being broken away for purposes of clarification;

Figure 2 is'a side elevation of the clock taken from the left-hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the clock taken from the right-hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the clock, the circuit to the clock being diagrammatically illustrated;

Figure 5 is a view of a portion of Figure 1,

certain parts being shown in different relative" positions and others being removed for purposes of clarification;

Figure 6 is a view of a portion of Figure 3, certain parts being removed for purposes of clarifloatlon; and,

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6, certain parts being shown indifferent relative positions.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

It might here be noted that reference hereinafter to a forward direction signifies a direction toward the face of the clock, while the term rearward denotes a direction opposite thereto. An upward direction refers to a direction upwardly toward twelve oclock, while a downward direction is opposite thereto.

In general, the clock includes a face I0 (Figure 2) and hands II driven through clock mechanism enclosed within the casing I2. The motive power for driving the clock mechanism is supplied by spring I3 (Figure 1) which acts through an armature M and ratchet and pawl mechanism, generally indicated at I5, to drive the main shaft of the clock mechanism. An electro-magnet I6 is periodically energized to move armature I4 in a clockwise direction and thus wind spring 13. Spring I3 then moves the armature in the opposite direction to drive the clock mechanism. The circuit to electro-magnet I6 is controlled by a mercury switch 45, the operation of which in turn is controlled by mechanism associated with armature I4 so that the electromagnet is periodically energized to cause movement of armature I4 in a clockwise direction and thus wind the clock.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the driving and winding mechanism for the clock mechanism mounted in casing I2 is mounted on a framework including casing I 2 and a rear plate 20, which is mounted on the clock by supporting rods I'I, I8, and IS. The main shaft 2| (Figure 1) of the clock mechanism has its rear end mounted in a bearing 22 on supporting plate 23. Plate 23 is mounted on the rear of casing I2 by screws 24 and is maintained in spaced relationship to the rear of easing I2 by a pair of spacing sleeves similar to sleeve 25 (Figure 2). A ratchet wheel 26 (Figures 1 and 3) is keyed to shaft 2| between plate 23 and the rear of casing i2 and the motive power for the clock mechanism in casirig I2 is transmitted through this wheel to shaft 2 Ratchet wheel 26 is driven in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure l, by armature I4 which is pivotally mounted on shaft 2| between ratchet wheel 26 and plate 23. The driving connection between armature I4 and ratchet wheel 26 is through two pawls 2'! and 28 pivotally mounted on armature I4. The noses of pawls 2'! and 28 are held in engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 26 by springs 29 and 30, thus permitting the pawls to ratchet over the teeth of wheel 25 when armature I4 is moved in a clockwise direction (Figure 1) and to drive wheel 26 when the armature moves in the opposite direction. To prevent movement of wheel 26 in a clockwise direction when armature I4 is moving in that direction, a holding pawl 3| is provided. The nose of this pawl is held in engagement with the teeth on the periphery of wheel 26 by a spring Armature I4 includes end. portions I Ma and I41) which extend rearwardly from the outer ends thereof (Figure 3). These portions of the armature coact with the pole pieces'33" and 3-4 of electro-magnet I6 to move armature I4 in a-clockwise direction each time electro-magnet I6, which is secured to plate 20, is energized. Armature I4 is moved to a position at which its end portions Ma and I4?) are aligned with the pole pieces 33 and 34 of electro-magnet I6.

Armature I4 is moved in a counterclockwise or driving direction by spring I3. Spring I3 is a coil spring and is mounted on supporting rod I'I (Figure 2), which extends axially through its coil. The rear end I3a of spring I3 is connected to a pin 40 mounted on rod I1 and the other end 13b of the spring (Figures 1 and 2) extends outwardly from the coil of the spring a substantial distance and is connected to armature I4 by a link 4|. Link 4| is pivotally connected to both spring [3 and armature I4, the connection to armature I4 being made by screw 42. Spring I3 is so formed that when it is connected to armature I4, it exerts at all times a resilient pull on link 4| thus urging counterclockwise movement of armature I4. Thus when armature I4 is moved by electro-magnet I 6 to a position at which endpieces 14a and MI) are aligned with the pole pieces of the electro-magnet I6, spring I3 acting through link 4 I, armature I4, pawls 2! and 28 and ratchet wheel 26 drives the clock mechanism in casing I2. Furthermore, each time armature I4 is moved in a clockwise direction, spring I3 is tensioned by such movement.

Electro-magnet I6 is energized each time armature I4 moves a predetermined amount in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. The opening and closing of the circuit of electro-magnet I4 is accomplished by a mercury switch 45. This switch is pivotally mounted by a pair of pivotpins 46 and 41 (Figure 1) on an ear a (Figure 4) extending forwardly from rearplate 20 and a guideplate 48 connected to another ear 261) (Figure 3) extending forwardly from rearplate 20. Ear 20a and guide plate 48 (Figure 5) are parallel with respect to each other to permit the forward end of switch 45 to move freely upwardly and downwardly (Figures 3 and 4).

The tube of switch 45 is mounted in a metal casing 49 (Figure 1) which includes portions 490. and 491) at its rear ends which are formedto re ceive the pivot points of pivot pins 46 and 41.

It Will be noted that the point at which switch 45 is pivotally mounted is adjacent its rear end (Figure 3.) This results in gravity causing the forward end of the switch to move downwardly whenever it is free to do so. a

When the forward end of switch 45 is in a downward position (Figures 5 and 6) the mercury therein flows away from the contact points at the rear end of the switch breaking the circuit to electro-magnet I6. When the forward end of switch is in an upward position, as viewed in Figure 3, the mercury in the switch completes the circuit to the electro-magnet. Movement of switch I6 is controlled by armature I4 through a spring member 5| (Figure 1) mounted thereon. One portion 5Ia of spring 5| is connected to the armature by screw 52 and by having its end extend through a hole 53 in the armature. This portion of the spring is held stationary with re spect to the armature at all times. The switch actuating portion 5Ib of spring 5| is formed so that when it is not under tension it occupies the position illustrated in Figure 1. In this figure, it isshown just after it has moved the switch to a closed position which results in the making of the circuit to electro-magnet I6. When the electro-magnet I6 is energized, armature I4 is moved in a clockwise direction and thus the actuating portion 5Ib of spring 5| moves downwardly with the armature.

Portion 5Ib of spring 5| as it moves downwardly from the position it occupies in Figure 3 follows the forward edge 48a of guide plate 48 as this portion of spring 5| is so formed that it resiliently presses rearwardly at all times against the forward edge of plate 48. When armature I4 has been moved in a clockwise (Figure 1) direction a suflicient amount to align its end portions Ma and |4b with the pole pieces of electromagnet I6, portion 5Ib of spring 5|, because of the preformed shape of the spring, is positioned in a cut-out portion 48b (Figures 6 and 7) in the forward edge of guide plate 48. Below cut-out portion 48b a finger 48d extends forwardly from guide p1ate48 to prevent portion 5|b of spring 5| frommoving below the lower edge of guide plate 48.

- As armature I4 (Figure. 1) is moved in a counterclockwise or driving direction, the outer end of spring portion 5|b moves upwardly until it engages a shoulder 480 (Figure '7) on plate 48 at the upper end of cut-out portion 481). It remains in engagement with shoulder 48c until it is moved forwardly by cam plate 6|] by armature 14, all as will be described fully hereinafter.

Cam plate is pivotally mounted on plate 48 by pivot pin 6| which extends through its lower right-hand corner, as viewed in Figure 6. Thus, as the body of plate 69 is positioned rearwardly of this point, gravity causes this plate to pivot in a counterclockwise direction. A finger 48c extendsoutwardly from plate 48 and thence forwardly over plate 60. This finger forms a guide channel with plate 48 to guide the movement of cam plate 60 as it pivots on pin 6| and also when plate 60 moves downwardly, it is in the path of the upper rear corner of plate 60 and thus it limits downward movement of plate 60.

When the end portions of armature I4 are in alignment withelectro-m agnet I6, cam plate 60 is in the position in which it is shown in Figure 6. Then as armature I4 moves in a counterclockwise direction, the lower portion I41) of armature I4 (Figures 3 and 7) engages a finger 6% extending downwardly from plate 60. Then asportion I4b of the armature continues to move upwardly, it moves cam plate 60 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure '7, so that its forward edge 60a presses outwardly against portion 5Ib of spring 5| which at this time is under tension because of the counterclockwise movement of armature I4 and is resiliently pressing upwardly against the retaining shoulder 48c. Continued movement ofarmature I4 causes plate 60 to move portion 5Ib of spring 5| out of engagement with shoulder 480 so that it is free to spring upwardly and move switch 45 to a closed position. To summarize, as armature I4- is moved in a driving direction by spring 13, it tensions spring portion Mb, which is retained by shoulder 480. After a predetermined period of counterclockwise movement, armature [4 acts through plate 60 to cause the release of spring 5) resulting in the closing of switch 45. This completes the circuit tothe electro-magnet which moves armature [4 in a clockwise direction to align its end portions with the poles of electro-magnet l6 and tensions spring l3. By this same movement of armature l4, portion 5lb of spring 5| is moved to the position it occupies in Figures 5 and 6 and the cycle is then repeated.

Referring to Figure 4 in which the circuit is shown, the insulated conductors l0 and H leading to the rear end of switch 45 (Figure 4) preferably extend substantially diametrically across the rear plate 20 substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of the switch and thence extend upwardly and downwardly to terminals 12 and 13. These conductors are very flexible and this fact, in addition to the position of the wires, permits the switch 45 to move with a maximum of ease. Terminal 13 is insulated from plate 20 and is connected by a conductor 14 to one end of the coil or" electro-magnet I6 and conductor 1| is grounded to plate 20 by terminal 12. One side of the battery 39 is connected by conductor 8| to terminal 82 which is insulated from plate 20 and is connected by conductor 83 to the other end of the coil of electro-magnet It. The other side of battery 80 is connected to a ground terminal 34 on plate 20 which in effect connects this side of the battery to conductor 1 I. From the circuit described, it will be clear that the switch 45 controls the making and breaking of the circuit to electro-magnet I6.

Thus, economical and practical mechanism for automatically winding and driving a train of clock mechanism has been disclosed which includes a novel and efficient switch for making and breaking the circuit to the electro-magnet and also a practical and durable spring for actuating the armature. It will also be clear from the mechanism described that the objects set forth hereinabove, as well as many others, have been successfully accomplished.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention claimed is as follows:

1. In electromagnetic Windin mechanism, the combination of an electro-magnet, an armature pivotally mounted thereon, means for moving said armature in a driving direction, said electromagnet being periodically energized to move said armature a predetermined distance in the opposite direction, a pivotally mounted mercury switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet, spring means mounted on said armature .and having a portion adapted to engage and move said switch to a closed position, means for releasably holding said spring means in a set position as said armature is moved in said driving direction, and means for moving said sprin means from set position to a released position at a predetermined time in the driving movement of said armature to permit said spring to move said switch to a closed position.

2. In electromagnetic winding mechanism, the combination of an electro-magnet, an armature pivotally mounted thereon, means for moving said armature in a driving direction, said electromagnet being periodically energized to move said armature a predetermined distance in the opposite direction, a pivotally mounted mercury switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet, spring means mounted on said armature and having a portion adapted to engage and move said switch to a closed position, means for releasably engaging and holding said spring means in a set position as said armature is moved in said driving direction, and means for moving said spring means from set position to a released position at a predetermined time in the driving movement of said armature to permit said spring to move said switch to a closed position.

3. In electromagnetic winding mechanism, the combination of an electro-magnet, an armatune pivotally mounted thereon, means for moving said armature in a driving direction, said electromagnet being periodically energized to move said armature a predetermined distance in the opposite direction, a pivotall mounted mercury switch in the circuit of said electro -magnet, spring means mounted on said armature and having a portion adapted to engage and move said switch to a closed position, means for releasably engaging and holding said spring means in a set position as said armature is moved in said driving direction,

and means for moving said spring means from set position to a released position at a predetermined time in the driving movement of said.

armature to permit said spring to move said switch to a closed position, said means including a cam plate for moving said spring out of engagement with said holding means, said cam plate being positioned to be actuated by driving movement of said .armature.

4. In electromagnetic winding mechanism, the combination of an electro-magnet, an armature mounted in operative relation thereto, a switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet and mounted to be moved to circuit closing position to move the armature in one direction, means arranged and adapted to bias said armature for movement in the opposite direction, a switch actuating spring arm mounted on said armature and movable therewith, a fixed detent arranged and adapted to releasably retain a free end portion of said spring arm in retracted position during movement of the armature in said opposite direction, and means cooperating with said armature and arranged in the path of movement thereof to release said free end portion of the spring arm from said retracted position into extended switch actuating position to close said circuit.

5. In electromagnetic winding mechanism, the combination of an electro-magnet, an armature mounted in operative relation thereto, a switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet and mounted to be moved to circuit closin position to move the armature in one direction, means arranged and adapted to bias said armature for movement in the opposite direction, a switch actuating spring arm mounted on said armature and movable therewith, and having a free end portion extending from said armature, a fixed detent arranged and adapted to releasably engage and retain said free end portion of said spring arm in retracted position during movement of the armature in said opposite direction, and a cam plate pivotally mounted in the path of movement thereof and auger? movable by'said armature to engage said free end portion of said spring arm and. release the same from engagement with said detent into engagement'with said switch; I

1 SYLVANUS W. BRAMLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,315,459 Billings Sept. 9, 1919 Number Nuinber Great Britain Jan. 12, 1931 

